Springdale Solid State and Kriek Mythology

A couple months ago I wrote about my first visit to the Springdale Brewery, an offshoot of Jack’s Abby that specializes in ales (while Jack’s Abby does all lagers). While they brew a wide variety of beers Springdale seems to have two focuses. The first is IPAs, they make a variety of delicious hop-bomb beers. I reviewed a couple of their IPA’s as part of my initial article. Their second focus is barrel aged beers, especially sours and beers fermented with Brettanomyces. I enjoyed a couple of these at the brewery, and on my second trip I made sure to grab a few bottles. I also grabbed a stockpile of IPAs in cans, just walked right in, grabbed them and paid. Delicious, high quality IPAs with no lines. Anyways, the bottles I grabbed were Solid State, a golden ale fermented with Brettanomyces, and Kreik Mythology, and oak aged sour beer with cherries. Springdale’s barrel aged beers are all available on draft and some are also sold in 500 mL bottles.

Springdale Solid StateSpringdale Solid State pours hazy straw yellow with a small white head. The scent is mostly from the yeast, funky and fruity. The yeast also leads the flavor, hints of apricot, pear, clove and the distinct barnyard flavor imparted by Brettanomyces. There is some malt, notes of whole grain bread and cereal. A touch of earthy and grassy hops round out the flavor. Solid State is very light and easy to drink, and an ideal session beer at 4.0% ABV. The finish is dry with some lingering yeast flavors. Springdale Solid State is a very nice beer, it balances flavor and drinkability and showcases the Brettanomyces. Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.

Springdale Kriek MythologySpringdale Kriek Mythology pours deep maroon with a solid white head. The scent is fruity and acidic, you know this is a sour beer before you even take a sip. The flavors imparted by the barrel aging take the lead, cherry, oak and vanilla. The fermentation adds lemon and sour apple along with a tart bite. Kreik Mythology is light bodied and drinkable, not too boozy at 6.5% ABV. The finish is dry with lingering cherry flavor and sour pucker. I won’t claim to be an expert on the kriek style, so take this rating with a grain of salt, but I enjoyed this beer, flavorful and the sourness is present but not overpowering. Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.

Previous Springdale Reviews:

Springdale Amirite?! and Good N’ You?

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